BOLD responses to inhibition in cannabis-using adolescents and emerging adults after 2 weeks of monitored cannabis abstinence.

RATIONALE: Previous studies have suggested that chronic cannabis use has been associated with increased blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response during a response inhibition task; however, these studies primarily included males. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether gender moderated the effects of cannabis use on BOLD response and behavioral performance during a Go-NoGo task in adolescents and young adults following 2 weeks of monitored abstinence. METHODS: Participants included 77 16-26-year olds (MJ = 36, controls = 41). An emotion-based Go-NoGo task required participants to inhibit their response during a calm face. A whole-brain analysis looked at differences between cannabis group, gender, and their interaction. RESULTS: Significant greater BOLD responses were observed in cannabis users compared with that in controls in the left frontal cortex, left cingulate cortex, and the left thalamus during correct response inhibitions; gender did not moderate these effects. CONCLUSION: Supporting previous research, cannabis users showed greater BOLD responses in core areas associated with response inhibition during a Go-NoGo task, even after a minimum of 2 weeks of abstinence.

Motivation to volunteer by older adults: a test of competing measurement models.

Four measurement models of the structure of motivation to volunteer were evaluated in 2 samples of older (minimum age = 50 years), active volunteers. Motivation to volunteer was assessed with the Volunteer Functions Inventory. Whereas no support was found for either unidimensional or bipartite models, qualified support was observed for both 6-factor and 2nd-order factor models. The best fit of the data was obtained with the 6-factor model of motivation to volunteer (career, enhancement, protective, social, understanding, and values). Contrary to the prediction derived from the 2nd-order factor model, the 6 volunteer motives were differentially related to demographic variables and number of hours spent volunteering for the organization during the past year. Implications for assessing motivation to volunteer among older adults and recruiting older adults as volunteers are discussed.

The relationship between attitudes toward pregnancy and contraception use among drug users.

Use of alcohol and drugs during pregnancy is regarded as a serious problem in the medical field. The current study explored gender and ethnic differences in attitudes and behaviors related to sexuality and contraceptive use among European American, Mexican American and Native American female and male clients in drug recovery programs. The study also examined the relationship between sexual abuse, concern for pregnancy, concern for contracting sexually transmitted diseases and contraception use among women drug users. Results showed gender and ethnic differences in attitudes toward pregnancy, abortion and contraceptive use. In addition, both Mexican American and Native American women who had a high concern for pregnancy were more likely to use birth control when they reported sexual abuse than when they reported no abuse. In contrast, European American women with a high concern for pregnancy showed a tendency to use birth control less when they reported abuse than when they did not. The observed attitudinal and behavioral differences between genders and ethnic groups are discussed in relation to design of treatment program components to increase contraceptive use and decrease unwanted pregnancies among drug users.